Author

Tyler Simpson | Lead Writer​@TylerSimpson05

2018 PG Rahsaan Lewis/Ball is Life

Being under the spotlight is no new task for 2018 PG Rahsaan Lewis out of Windermere Prep in Florida. Rahsaan, the son of future hall of fame linebacker Ray Lewis of the Ravens is used to people expecting the most out of him, as he’s been followed closely for years now. Once a two sport athlete, Rahsaan saw that quickly come to an end when he had a major knee injury that derailed a year of athletics for him. With that quickly behind him and recovery finally over he made the switch to focus solely on basketball. Rahsaan and Windermere Prep are 8-5 on the season and are finally starting to get a feel for who they are as a team. The team competed in the high profiled early season tournament called the Tarkanian Classic, named after legendary UNLV coach Jerry Tarkanian. Rahsaan has been invited to our Orlando event on March 18th and will showcase his abilities that have several Division One colleges calling him. I was fortunate enough to catch up with Rahsaan and talk about his season, his goals, and what it’s like to be the son of such a historic football player.

First off, I’d like to thank you for taking your time to talk to me, I really appreciate it. How’s the season been going for you so far?

All good, and thank you as well. It’s going pretty good, we started off a little rough with a new team and different chemistry but we’re getting it all together now and looking a lot better!

You guys played at the Tarkanian Classic this season, right? How was the competition there? It’s normally a pretty high profiled tournament, how’d you do as well?

Yes sir we did. The competition was really pretty good. It was still high profiled this year and as a team we did pretty good. It was a different type of play that we were used to and our whole team was sick and all but we finished 2-2. I played pretty well actually, the first game was a little slower, just such a change, but after that I played pretty good. Overall I had a good tournament and really enjoyed the trip, and getting to experience high level competition with a different play style than what we’re used to.

Awesome, that’s good. I see you play with David Nickelberry, a Division One kid, what’s it like playing with him? Surely it has to help being a point guard and having another great player on your team to pass to.

Yes sir, I do. I’ve known him for years now. We both love playing with each other, but it’s really nice and helpful playing with him, he can play, especially once he gets going and he is a big help. We have some other kids as well that are a great help!

Yup, basketball is a team sport. Two great players can still be beat by a team of 5 that play hard on both ends and excel at it. You’re a 2018 kid, son of Ray Lewis, do you play football as well or are you trying to focus mainly on basketball for the next two years?

Yes sir, and I’ve played football my whole life as well, but not too long ago I suffered a major knee injury, which I’m fully back and recovered from. Now I’m just focusing solely on basketball for the next two years. I have no time to waste!

Since you’re focusing on basketball, what are you really trying to improve and work on, to show that you have what it takes to compete at the next level?

I’m trying to grow and excel at the things point guards need at the next level in all areas such as running the team, and being vocal and always leading. Defense, especially with being smaller, as well as less turnovers. With the fast pace we play a few turnovers will come. Just continue working on different things, my shot, shot off the dribble, and free throws. My dad always told me even with strengths and weaknesses you must have a complete game, so you always work to get better at everything.

With being the son of Ray Lewis, does it add any extra pressure or spotlight when you play? Or do you do your best to just tone it out and kind of build your own legacy?

It doesn’t add any extra pressure but people do expect a whole lot which is understandable. They still try to compare me to him and all even in a different sport, but none of it gets to me. I’m pretty strong minded and purpose driven and I’m trying to make my own name so I’m known as Rahsaan Lewis not as Ray Lewis’ son. I love my dad and am so thankful for everything he’s done and his legacy and everything no doubt, but I’m my own person and want to be known as that. I don’t feel pressure from people comparing me to him or any of that. I just play the game that I love and the goal is to like I said, be me, be who I am, and make my own name!

That’s incredible, love your answer. What’s been your dad’s biggest words of advice to you, from playing basketball or sports in general while growing up?

He’s always said to just play your game, trust yourself, and it’s nothing new. He’s always stressed the fact to give it your all because effort is between no one but ourselves and at the end of the day take it personal, never let another man outwork me.

Have you been hearing from any programs? If so, who? Have you received any offers yet?

I’ve heard from UNF, Maryland, and VMI directly or through my coach. The UNF head coach and assistant came to see me at practice and talked to me and have been in contact with me. VMI has just been in contact with me, and Maryland has called my coach about me and says they will be by to see me play.

What are your thoughts on those programs? Obviously Maryland is Maryland, they’ve got a good track record and Turgeon is a great coach.

Maryland I’ve followed, and like you said they have a great coach and are always doing pretty well during the season. I do like Maryland a lot, of course would like to go see the campus and all of it rather than just following them and researching, but I have always followed Maryland. UNF I researched on and it seems actually really nice. They’ve done pretty well the past couple of seasons, but I would also like to get up there and see it as well.

Absolutely. You’re coming to our event in Orlando in March, are you excited about that? What are your goals for the showcase? There’s going to be a lot of talent there and I can’t wait to watch you compete.

Yes sir, I am very excited about that, I really can’t wait! My goals for the showcase are to just come and be me, play my game, and showcase who I am so people know Rahsaan Lewis. Not going to do anything out of who I am or out of my game just because of how big the showcase is. I’m going to be me and who I am. I love to compete, that’s what I’ve done my whole life, I love great competition, I’m built for it and have never been known to back down from a challenge. I truly love and can’t wait to play verse all the talent!

Awesome, can’t wait to watch you come March. One last thing, who do you have tonight, Clemson or Alabama?

Can’t wait to be there! And ahh, I got to say Clemson. I have a good friend from my old school that plays there and a close friend that went there that’s now on the Falcons.